another Real Christian

[anotheranon]

Almost saved this 'til tomorrow so no one would mistake it for an April fool, but it was too interesting to save.

Think I've found another Christian leader that I can respect - a thoughtful, progressive sort of along the lines of John Shelby Spong:

I first heard about Davidson Loehr on Air America's Ring of Fire archive from 3/24, discussing the relationship between fundamentalism and fascism and now both seem to be creeping along in 21st century America.

Yes, that's right, I said "fascism" and "America" in the same sentence, but before you cry Godwin, read over his sermon, Living Under Fascism and his essay The Fundamentalist Agenda, in which he discusses possible historical/biological reasons why religious fundamentalists are all the same and why fascism may be human society's "default setting" - and why liberalism is still the better way to go.

What's more, he offers solutions - ways NOT to feed the machine and better ways for liberals to frame the "moral" debate ("enlarge our understanding of who belongs in our in-group").

I'm inclined to take this guy seriously because he combines a strong faith (which despite my own irreligiosity, I DO respect, if that faith is humane and come to sanely and thoughtfully) with critical thinking, and he's got an educational background in the philosophies of both religion AND science (unlike many fundies of all stripes who I suspect have never actually read their respective Good Books).

Seriously, they're both interesting reads. Please feel free to discuss here - I'd love to get a debate going.

Comments

[timcharmorbien.livejournal.com]

I just finished reading 'Despoiling America' by Katherine Yurika (sp?), referred to by Loher in "Living Under Fascism", and it was also very interesting reading concerning the Dominionists. Of course, the fact that Pat Robertson and his ilk really believe the theocratic drivel they're pumping out is the most disturbing part of the whole movement to me. I have, of course, long suspected that the core conservative leadership of the fundamentalists consider themselves superior to Christians who are NOT fundamentalist or politically conservative - - one only had to observe how they took over the Southern Baptist convention a few years ago, replacing people in charge of Baptist schools, councils and non=profit organizations if they did not sign a pledge acknowledging the bible as being 100% literal and correct - - never mind that half of it is couched in alegorical language, or that the fundamentalists consistantly quote Old Testament passages out of context to support whatever asinine theory of the week they are espousing - - but usually they're too polite to say so out loud. I guess the idea is not to antagonize their fellow Christians until after the new world order begins, when the inquisition can really get off the ground. :(

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Sorry to get back to you so late on this!

Adding "Despoiling America" to my reading list. And while I think many Evangelicals DO believe their own tripe, I suspect that Robertson, Falwell and others may just be using religion as a tool. Or at least I hope they are - those who truly believe they're doing right with all these scary initiatves are far more frightening than cynical users :(